360 Degree Camera Mount and Related Photographic and Video System

• US 20140153916A1
• Filed: 11/05/2013
• Published: 06/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 360Heros, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 360Heros, Inc.
• Inventors: Kintner, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,152,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/04 with cameras or projectors providing touching or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2213/001 Constructional or mechanical details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

A camera holding assembly that is configured to hold a plurality of cameras in a predetermined orientation includes a support having a plurality of receptacles. Each of the receptacles include at least one feature enabling a camera to be releasably retained therein as well as at least one and preferably at least three attachment features configured for enabling the camera holding assembly to be secured to another object. The receptacles are oriented about the support so that each camera, when loaded into the defined receptacles, is aimed in a different angular orientation. Images obtained from each retained camera can be stitched to create either a composite 360 degree×180 degree full spherical image or a composite 360 degree composite image of a scene of interest.

Claims

1. A holding assembly configured to releasably retain a plurality of cameras in a predetermined orientation, said holding assembly comprising:

a support;

a plurality of receptacles disposed radially about said support, each of said receptacles being configured for retaining a photographic camera and having at least one feature for enabling the camera to be releasably retained within the receptacle wherein the receptacles are oriented about said support such that each camera provides a different field of view, the cameras being disposed to create either a 360 degree by 180 degree full spherical composite image or a 360 degree composite image.

2. A holding assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment feature configured for enabling the holding assembly to be secured to another object.

3. A holding assembly as recited in claim 2, further comprising at least three attachment features.

4. A holding assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said support includes a plurality of radially extending arms and in which a receptacle is retained at a distal end of each arm.

5. A holding assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the receptacles are integral to the support.

6. A holding assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein each radially extending arm includes an attachment member at a distal end for securing a receptacle thereto.

7. A holding assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein at least some of said camera receptacles are oriented about a common plane.

8. A holding assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each said camera receptacle is defined by an enclosure having a releasably securable latch, enabling the enclosure to be selectively opened and closed about a camera retained therein.

9. A holding assembly as recited in claim 1, including a plurality of camera receptacles disposed within a common spherical plane and at least one camera receptacle disposed above or below the common spherical plane.

10. A holding assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame includes a center support that retains a plurality of radially extending arms and in which at least one radially extending arm is configured to extend and retract from an initial radial position.

11. A holding assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one radially extending arm is configured to pivot.

12. A holding assembly as recited in claim 1, including at least one adaptive member attachable to a secured photographic camera to enable use underwater.

13. A holding assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the adaptive member includes a transparent dome coupled to the lens barrel of an attached photographic camera and in which the dome corrects for refractive effects of surrounding water.

14. A holding assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one adaptive member includes at least one photographic filter.

15. A holding assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one adaptive member permits replacement of the at least one filter.

16. A method for enabling capture of 360 degree images of a scene of interest, said method comprising:

providing a holding assembly having a plurality of receptacles, each said receptacle being configured for receiving at least one camera body and in which each said receptacle is disposed in a specific angular or spherical orientation.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein the holding assembly includes a supporting member and a plurality of arms that radially extend from the supporting member and in which a camera receptacle is disposed at the distal end of each arm.

18. A method as recited in claim 16, including the step of supporting a plurality of cameras within a common spherical plane.

19. A method as recited in claim 16, including the step of providing stereographic spherical images.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein at least one of the arms is configured to radially extend or contract relative to an initial radial position.

21. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the camera receptacles are integral to the supporting fixture.

22. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the camera receptacles are attached to the distal end of each arm.

23. A system for creating 360 degree images of a scene of interest, the system comprising:

a holding assembly configured to releasably retain a plurality of cameras in a predetermined orientation, the holding assembly comprising;

a supporting frame;

a plurality of receptacles disposed radially about the supporting frame, each of said receptacles having a receiving cavity sized to accommodate a camera wherein the retaining ports are oriented about said frame such that each camera, when loaded into the receptacles provides a different field of view, the cameras being disposed to create a 360 degree by 180 degree full spherical composite image or a 360 degree composite image.

24. A system as recited in claim 23, in which the holding assembly includes at least one feature enabling the camera to be releasably retained within the receptacle.

25. A system as recited in claim 23, further comprising at least one attachment feature configured for enabling the holding assembly to be secured to another object.

26. A system as recited in claim 25, wherein the holding assembly includes at least three spaced attachment features.

27. A system as recited in claim 23, wherein each of the receptacles are integral to the supporting frame.

28. A system as recited in claim 23, wherein the receptacles are secured to the supporting frame using fasteners.

29. A system as recited in claim 25, in which the receptacles are defined by an enclosure having a latch that enables a portion of the enclosure to be selectively opened and closed about a retained camera.

30. A system as recited in claim 23, wherein the holding assembly is manufactured from a durable molded plastic.

31. A system as recited in claim 23, wherein the holding assembly is manufactured from a flexible nylon.

32. A systems as recited in claim 23, wherein the holding assembly retains multiple pairs of cameras in tandem to permit stereographic images to be created.